Outsource to an HR Firm
Even if you have the budget to hire an HR specialist full-time, your team might be so small that there isn’t enough HR work to fill 40 hours a week. This is where outsourcing to an HR firm can really come in handy.
There are firms that specialize in offering HR services to small businesses so they can get the support they need without having to hire a new full-time employee. Hire a firm with a lot of experience with companies in similar size to you or in the same industry to make sure they have the expertise needed and processes in place to make integrating their services simple and straightforward.
Hire a Freelance HR Specialist
If your HR needs ebb and flow quite a bit then you may appreciate the flexibility that working with a freelance HR specialist can bring to the table. While many HR firms will try to lock you into an agreed upon amount of hours each month, you may be able to find more flexibility with a freelancer.
Not sure how many hours a week or month you’ll need their support for? You can find someone who will provide you with HR support only when you need it. Just be careful here and set a limit of hours the freelancer can’t go over without consulting you first. To guarantee the freelancer will be around when you need them, you can put them on a monthly retainer that reserves you a certain amount of their time throughout the month, but you may want to do this after you spend a few months getting a feel for how many hours they typically need to work for you.
Create Clear HR Procedures
If a business can’t afford to hire someone to manage their HR needs, then the owner of the company will likely take the reins here. The key to making employees feel comfortable about their boss managing their HR needs is to have clear HR procedures in place. That way, they never have to guess at how they should approach you about HR issues.
Having solid HR processes in place can also help make managing HR tasks faster which can save you a lot of time and money as a business owner. You can benefit from having procedures in place for the following HR activities.
- Recruiting new talent
- Hiring process
- Payroll
- Disciplinary action
- Employee records maintenance
- Reviews and promotions
- Providing employee benefits
While all HR processes should be documented and easily accessible, for any processes that the employee needs to participate in (such as your annual review schedule), make sure they have access to the documentation that walks them through what they need to expect and what (if any) steps they need to take.
Consider HR Software
Nowadays there are some really helpful softwares on the market that make managing HR as a small business a whole lot easier. These softwares can help streamline the hiring process, benefits, employee handbook, onboarding, performance reviews, time tracking, and compliance. These softwares can be a game changer for busy business owners who need to tackle HR needs as well as running their company.
These softwares can be an investment, but often cost a lot less than hiring a full-time HR specialist to manage your HR needs. Do some research on what a few different softwares will cost you and then compare the cost of your chosen software with what hiring a new staff member would entail. That way, you can get an idea of where your money will stretch the furthest.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an opinion on any issue. It should not be regarded as comprehensive or a substitute for professional advice.